Travellers say ticket price is main criteria in choice of airline

Flying has become one of the most popular means of travel throughout the world. An internet survey carried out by SmartLynx Airlines, the leading charter carrier in Latvia and Estonia, revealed that 74% of respondents use airline services for private trips, while one in four (26%) mostly travel for business. Respondents said that price is the main criterion in purchasing airline tickets.

58% of
respondents revealed that, when purchasing tickets to a selected destination,
price is the primary factor determining the choice of airline. Rather often
(28% of cases) the duration of the flight is also taken into account.
Meanwhile, according to the respondents the brand and punctuality of the
airline are of lesser importance.

As regards
the main benefit of air travel, half of the respondents named the wide variety
of destinations providing the opportunity to quickly and conveniently travel to
various places around the world. Often (31%) respondents also noted that the
speed of travel is a significant benefit. Likewise, respondents also indicated
that they appreciate souvenirs given to children on the flight, cleanliness of
the cabin, as well as the availability of in-flight magazines to pass the time.
In turn, when asked about recommended improvements, respondents mentioned more
legroom. Taller passengers said they would be willing to pay up to an
additional ten percent of the ticket price for such an option.

“We have
observed that flying is no longer merely a means of travelling. Passengers are
increasingly appreciating in-flight customer service, and happily take
advantage of the options available. Based on customer wishes and
recommendations, we constantly try to provide our passengers with the best
possible travel experience. And we are glad that our passengers appreciate our
efforts: our customers have rated the friendliness and helpfulness of the
SmartLynx staff at 9.2 on a scale of 10. Likewise, we are also happy that our
customers have highly appreciated (with a score of 9.1) the competence and appearance
of our staff,” Ilva Priedniece, Head of Marketing and Public Relations at
SmartLynx Airlines, explains.

Nearly half
(45%) of respondents stated that the helpfulness of the staff and their ability
to solve problems is one of the main factors in air travel. Many respondents
also noted that the friendliness of the staff is important, as well as a
professional and proper appearance (21%). In turn, respondents attached less
importance to the selection of food, drinks and other products. However, a
large portion (34%) of respondents said that in 50% of cases they do purchase food
and drinks in-flight. A fifth of respondents order something off the in-flight
menu almost every time they fly, and only 14% never order.

As regards
the often cited fear of flying, more than half (64%) of respondents bust the
myth that flying is scary, saying that they feel safe and comfortable during
their flights. Only 5% of respondents said that they are afraid of flying.

The survey
involved 530 respondents flying on charter flights out of Riga and Tallinn to
such destinations as Hurghada, Geneva, Bergen, Heraklion, Varna, Corfu,
Antalya, Pereveza, Malaga and Santorini.

:

SmartLynx Airlines was founded in 1992 as a private airline and
is the leading full-service ACMI (Aircraft-Crew-Maintenance-Insurance) provider
on Airbus 320 in the EU with its headquarters being located in Riga. Latvian
and Estonian air carrier certificates have been granted to the airline. Being
an EU airline, SmartLynx Airlines
complies with international quality standards IOSA and EASA, as well as it has
access to the free route airspace.

SmartLynx Airlines specialises in lease services of its Airbus
A320 fleet, as well as ensures full charter operation for its home markets in
Latvia and Estonia, predominantly in the leisure market. It also performs
flight crew trainings.

Overall the
number of passengers transported by SmartLynx
is rapidly increasing with every year — in 2015 it reached 1.6 mln, and
in 2016 – 1.9 mln. SmartLynx
flight precision (On Time Performance) is constantly improving — in summer of
2016 this indicator reached 89% for all charter flights. Company is rapidly
growing and in 2016 its turnover increased by 18%, reaching 109.4 mln EUR.

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